Car bonnets get the boot

A team of 100 women – most of whom had never designed a car before – have created a vehicle which doesn't need washing, will book itself in for a service thanks to wireless technology, and has special ports in the headrests to accommodate pony

Car bonnets get the boot

01 March 2004Joshua Dowling, Motoring editor

A team of 100 women -- most of whom had never designed a car before -- have created a vehicle which doesn't need washing, will book itself in for a service thanks to wireless technology, and has special ports in the headrests to accommodate ponytails.

The Volvo concept car, due to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show today, does not even have a bonnet. The project team figured women would never want to look at the engine, so the front end is designed to come off in one piece at the workshop.

The windows and paint are dirt repellent and the car seat covers can be easily removed and are made from material that won't shrink in the wash.

For those who think it sounds a bit patronising, Volvo is at pains to point out it rejected some "cliched requests" from female focus groups.

Suggestions that didn't make the cut included an on-board cappuccino maker and foot supports for high heeled shoes.

But there are a couple of catches to what sounds like a dream automobile.

The women spent triple the budget to build it -- most concept cars cost about $2 million, this Volvo cost $6 million -- even though it will never be driven.

Just as an outlandish dress is designed to attract attention at a fashion parade, but not necessarily to be worn in public, the Volvo concept car is intended to draw interest at this week's Geneva Motor Show.

The development of the gull-wing coupe (when the doors are open they appear to spread like a bird's wings) was led by a core team of nine women. It took 15 months to build.

Anna Rosen, 27, one of the project leaders, said the all-woman team was a "huge step forward not just for the car industry but for society in general".

She said she wanted the car to have the presence and attitude of a wildcat.

It is surprising it has taken this long for a mainly female team to design a car, given that women account for half of all new car sales and have a say in what cars men buy in 65 percent of purchases, according to Volvo's research.

Women are also more demanding when it comes to cars, said Volvo product planner Lex Kerssemakers. "Women are more critical and have far higher expectations than men," he said.